The wonderful photo below is other parts of glass and chrome end tables post which is published by erick.

Designers talk a lot about scale. Now it is true that small end tables will upset the visual balance a bit winnowing under weight of a larger love seat or sofa. There are things you can do to fix this. One is to use slightly taller lamps that still have a small base. For instance you may want to forego a ceramic or pot style lamp and use one with a candlestick post. This will make the table look bigger than it really is and the added height of the lamps will help add visual weight as well.

First why do you need coffee tables and end tables - or either one of these? Many use them simply for show and rarely for coffee. Others use them only when they have guests while yet others actually use them in the course of a normal day for their primary intended use.

Another thing to factor in is the visual weight. If you purchase metal and glass tables for example they will not carry the same weight as a wood table. It will have the same impact on the room as a smaller wood table.